ICPJ Coffee Chats!

Every Friday in February and March; 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM – Feeling a little sluggish at the end of a full week? Come on down to Mighty Good Coffee to renew your energy with some caffeine and social justice conversation! New to social justice work or community organizing and have heard about ICPJ, but not sure what we’re all about? Come find out who the Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice is, what we do, and how you can join the ICPJ community. Bring a smile, say hello, and let’s have a chat! *Every Friday that does not fall on a holiday. Location: Mighty Good Coffee, 217 N. Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Peace Team Training – Ann Arbor

Saturday February 10, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM – Meta Peace Team (MPT) and Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice (ICPJ) are partnering to offer this training to the residents in Washtenaw County. Peace Teams de-escalate violence in places where conflicts arise. In this training you will learn specific skills and tools that are useful both as a member of a Peace Team invited to intervene in a conflict and in your daily life. You will be introduced to assertive, active non-violent intervention techniques and how to use them as part of a team as well as how affinity teams use quick consensus decision making to intervene effectively. Should you decide not to be part of a Peace Team you will find that the skills you have learned are valuable in other intervention. Lunch included. Cost: $65. Register HERE. Location: Trinity Lutheran Church (downstairs social hall), 1400 W. Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Latin America Dinner & a Movie Series: Nogales

Tuesday February 13, 2018, Dinner 6:30 pm, Movie 7:00 pm – Join the Latin American Task Force (LATF) of ICPJ on the 2nd Tuesday of the month (January through May 2018) to share a delicious dinner and a film pertaining to current Latin American issues. Not a film, but a photo and discussion session about Border issues and MexicoUnited States relations in the region. Reflections from LATF members and EMU students about their recent trip to Nogales in November 2017. Sponsored by the Interfaith Council for Peace & JusticeLocation: St. Mary’s Student Parish, 331 Thompson St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Film is free and open to the public. DINNER OPTION: $8.00 Pilar’s Tamales Meal – Includes one Tamale with salsa, organic casamiento, fried plantains, and curtido (veg. option available). Please RSVP to reserve your meal HERE.

Racial and Economic Justice Film and Discussion Series: “The Great White Hoax”

The Great White Hoax: Donald Trump and The Politics of Race and Class in America Featuring Tim Wise” is a film about Donald Trump’s charged rhetoric about African-Americans, Latinos, and Muslims fits within a longstanding historical pattern, offering a stunning survey of how racism and racial scapegoating have shaped American politics for centuries. After the film (shown January 14 only), join a community conversation and safely talk and learn about race and racism (discussion January 14 and February 18). This bimonthly discussion series is moderated by La’Ron Williams, racial justice educator, peace activist, and professional storyteller. When: Sunday January 14 at 2pm – 5pm – film showing and discussion: Sunday February 18 2pm – 5pm – continued discussion only. Where: Ypsilanti District Library (YDL), 5577 Whittaker Road Questions: 734-482-4110 x1377

Connect & Act 2018: Building the New Movement for Racial and Economic Justice

Saturday March 10, 9:30 PM – 5:00 PM – One day, one place to come together to shine light on the connections between social justice issues and to help you take action right now. Connect & Act 2018 will highlight the connections between social justice issues and movements in a time of crisis. Activity will be focused on the work Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice (ICPJ) is already steering with partner individuals and organizations in our local community.

Program sessions will focus on a few central themes including Criminal Justice, the Environment, the Immigration Crisis, the Poor People’s Campaign, and Strengthening our Democracy. Each issue area session will utilize a liberating structure framework to connect participants to the content, as well as to each other. You will also learn fundamental skills to develop concrete action plans in real time. Breakout sessions will offer opportunities for everyone, from the seasoned activist to the new learner! There will be intentional networking time and space, as well as good food (by Joyful Treats Catering) and great local music. You will learn how to get involved (or deepen your involvement) in the most pressing social justice issues of today. Location: Ypsilanti High School, 2095 Packard St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. Cost: $0-$55. Register through Eventbrite HERE. Sponsorship opportunities and additional information: ConnectandAct.org.

Latin America Dinner & a Movie Series: The Other Side of Immigration

Tuesday March 13, 2018, Dinner 6:30 pm, Movie 7:00 pm – Join the Latin American Task Force (LATF) of ICPJ on the 2nd Tuesday of the month (January through May 2018) to share a delicious dinner and a film pertaining to current Latin American issues. The Other Side of Immigration is based on over 700 interviews in Mexican towns where about half the population has left to work in the U.S., this film addresses why so many Mexicans come to the U.S. and what happens to the families and communities they leave behind. Learn how U.S. immigration and economic policies impact our closest neighbor. Sponsored by the Interfaith Council for Peace & JusticeLocation: St. Mary’s Student Parish, 331 Thompson St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Film is free and open to the public. DINNER OPTION: $8.00 Pilar’s Tamales Meal – Includes one Tamale with salsa, organic casamiento, fried plantains, and curtido (veg. option available). Please RSVP to reserve your meal HERE.

Bystander Intervention Training – Grand Ledge

Saturday March 17, 2018- 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Over the past year, we have seen an alarming increase in hate crimes and attacks against immigrant, Muslim, LGBTQ+, and other vulnerable populations in our communities, as well as across the country. Have you asked yourself, “What could I have done if I were there?” Have you witnessed someone being harassed, but were stifled or frozen by fear and didn’t know what to do? The good news is that there are lifelong skills and techniques that you can learn and practice to keep each other safe. Our 4 hour Basic Bystander Training will show you how to respond. Experienced and certified ICPJ facilitators will teach you the basic tactics you can use to deescalate and/or redirect threats and harassment through non-violent methods and strategies. Sponsored by the Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice and United Church of Christ Grand Ledge. Location: 210 W. Saginaw Hwy, Grand Ledge, Michigan 48837. Cost: $20-$45. Register through Eventbrite HERE.

Bystander Intervention Training – Ann Arbor

Saturday March 24, 2018- 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Over the past year, we have seen an alarming increase in hate crimes and attacks against immigrant, Muslim, LGBTQ+, and other vulnerable populations in our communities, as well as across the country. Have you asked yourself, “What could I have done if I were there?” Have you witnessed someone being harassed, but were stifled or frozen by fear and didn’t know what to do? The good news is that there are lifelong skills and techniques that you can learn and practice to keep each other safe. Our 4 hour Basic Bystander Training will show you how to respond. Experienced and certified ICPJ facilitators will teach you the basic tactics you can use to deescalate and/or redirect threats and harassment through non-violent methods and strategies. Sponsored by the Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice and First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor. Location: 2275 Platt Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Pre-registration is required. Cost: $20-$45. Register through Eventbrite HERE.

Tuesday April 10, 2018, Dinner 6:30 pm, Movie 7:00 pm – Join the Latin American Task Force (LATF) of ICPJ on the 2nd Tuesday of the month (January through May 2018) to share a delicious dinner and a film pertaining to current Latin American issues. Focusing on universal themes of justice, racism, power, and corruption, 500 Years tells the story that led Guatemala to a tipping point in history. Told from the perspective of the majority indigenous Mayan population in Guatemala, the film explores their struggles in the country’s growing fight against impunity. Sponsored by the Interfaith Council for Peace & JusticeLocation: St. Mary’s Student Parish, 331 Thompson St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Film is free and open to the public. DINNER OPTION: $8.00 Pilar’s Tamales Meal – Includes one Tamale with salsa, organic casamiento, fried plantains, and curtido (veg. option available). Please RSVP to reserve your meal HERE.

Latin America Dinner & a Movie Series: Berta Vive

Tuesday May 8, 2018, Dinner 6:30 pm, Movie 7:00 pm – Join the Latin American Task Force (LATF) of ICPJ on the 2nd Tuesday of the month (January through May 2018) to share a delicious dinner and a film pertaining to current Latin American issues. Berta Vive documents the life and death of Honduran leader and recipient of the 2015 Goldman Environmental Prize, Berta Caceres. It follows her campaign of resistance against the Agua Zarca Dam and her dedication to environmental protection and community activism. Sponsored by the Interfaith Council for Peace & JusticeLocation: St. Mary’s Student Parish, 331 Thompson St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Film is free and open to the public. DINNER OPTION: $8.00 Pilar’s Tamales Meal – Includes one Tamale with salsa, organic casamiento, fried plantains, and curtido (veg. option available). Please RSVP to reserve your meal HERE.